Bolyard one of Riders' most decorated athletes

Published: June 11, 2000 12:00 AM

TThere might've been some debate as to which sport was Tom Bolyard's best during his time at Orrville High School in the mid 1980's.

There was no debate, though, that by the time he left Orrville in 1985, Bolyard was one of the most decorated Red Rider athletes in school history.

Bolyard is one of 10 members of the Wayne County Sports Hall of Fame's Class of 2000. He and the other honorees will be inducted during ceremony to take place Saturday, June 24 (7 p.m.) at Wooster High School. Also being inducted will be: Erich Riebe, Ernie Moore, Bev Crafton, Stacie Howard-Carpenter, James Bradley, Joe Kikume, Ron Calabria, John Wachtel and Robert Rhoads.

Bolyard was a superior athlete, accumulating 10 total letters in baseball, basketball and football during his time as a Red Rider. It was talent in the latter, however, that drew Bolyard the most honors.

Bolyard lettered all four seasons and was a 3-year starter at quarterback at Orrville. In addition to his talents under center, he was tremendous punter-placekicker who averaged more than 40 yards a punt and set a school record with a 47-yard field goal.

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Bolyard garnered numerous honors following his senior season of 1984, including being tabbed a first-team all-state quarterback by UPI. He was a second-team selection as both a quarterback and punter by AP. He was also a Parade Magazine's first-team all-American QB and was selected to play in the Ohio North-South All-Star game.

After receiving a scholarship to Ohio State, where he redshirted in 1985, Bolyard transferred to Oklahoma State A&M, which he quarterbacked to national junior college championship in 1986.

Bolyard's travels then took him to Indiana University the next season, where he was a backup QB and starting punter for the Hoosiers. Bolyard led the Big 10 in punting that season and would eventually go on to start at QB against in-state rival Purdue. Following his college career, Bolyard went on to have NFL tryouts with the Cleveland Browns and San Diego Chargers.

Bolyard racked up nearly as many honors on the Orrville hardwood, where he lettered three seasons. After averaging 23.9 points and 10.2 rebounds his senior season, Bolyard was named the MVP of the All-Ohio League, as well as being selected to both the AP's and UPI's first team for Class AA. Bolyard was named to the North-South All Star Game, where he captured the slam dunk contest.

Bolyard lettered three times in baseball and was named first-team AOL in 1985.

Tickets for the WCSHOF induction ceremony are $20 and can be obtained by calling (330) 682-6862.